Apparatus for atomizing metals.



J. M. NEIL.

APPARATUS POR ATOMIZING METALS.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 10, 1912.

1,049,314 Patented Dec. 3 I

2 sHEBTssHET 0/ f/ 4Harney J. M. NEIL.

APPARATUS PoR ATOMIZING METALS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, 1912.

1,049,314, Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

2 SHEET S-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR l f f FFIQE.

JAMES MILLAR NEIL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR ATOMIZING METALS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31,1912.

Application filed April 10, 1912. Serial No. 689,791.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I; JAMES MILLAR NEIL, of New York; in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ap` paratus for Atomizing Metals; and I hereby declare that the following is a full7 clear7 and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to the art of atomizing metal, and is an improvement upon the apparatus shown in my application for patent tiled December 12, 1911, Serial No. 665,229.

The particular object of the present invention is to produce an apparatus which will be especially adapted for successfully atomizing while also capable of use f or atomiaing. other metals; and its subsidiary object 1s to simplify the construction of my prior apparatus while enhancing its efficiency.

By this apparatus I am enabled to obtain metals in an extremely fine state of subdivision, but unoxidized; and in such physical condition that even on exposure to ordinary atmospheric conditions they remain unoxidized; and metals in this condition I term atomized. Such atomized metals are especially adapted for use in recovering precious metals from cyanid solutions obtained during the treatment of ores by cyanid.

I will explain my present invention with reference to the accompanying' drawings in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of the apparatus, the atomizer head being in elevation. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the apparatus on line 2--2; Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the atomizing head. Fig. I is a similar but reverse side view of the atomizer head. Fig. 5 is a lon` gitudinal sectional view of such head; and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 6 6, Fig. 3.

As shown in the drawings the apparatus comprises a furnace 2, which may be formed of a metal cylinder lined with refractory material 2a; and divided into upper and lower compartments by a transverse partition 2e; this furnace may be heated in any suitable or desired manner. As shown I have provided a hydrocarbon burner 3 attached to the side of the furnace and adapted to supply hot gases to the upper compartment, the blast of burning gases entering the furnace through an opening 2b in the side thereof. The lower compartment can be heated by means of a burner 3X similar to burner 3, the blast from said burner entering the lower compartment 2f through an opening 2h in the wall of the furnace.

A Crucible 1 is placed in the upper compartment and may be supported upon the partition 2e. Connected with the crucible and depending into the compartment 2f is a J-shaped tube l which may be of highly rgfrdactorynnetal; or other suitabuledhmaterial, and is shown as provided a flange A on its upper end by which it is practically suspended from the bottom of the Crucible, and is positioned therein by means of a refractory filling 1b so that the top of the tube 4 is practically flush with the bottom of the Crucible and the molten metal in the Crucible will be directed into the duct in said tube. The lower upwardly curved end of the tube 1 may he closed by a head or plug 4J tapped thereinto and having a flat top provided with a small aperture A through which the molten metal can exude. This atomizing head tb lies adjacent to or within an opening 2i in the wall of the furnace in chamber 2f.

Secured to or formed on the upturned end of the tube 4, adjacent head li, and at the side next the burner 3X, is a liange d@ which rises above the head 4b and extends horizontally at an angle to the tube, as shown in Fig. 2. Attached to and supported by this flange 4e; adjacent head 4b, is a jet-head 5 which is provided with a shank 5a engaging a horizontal slot in the flange 41e and secured by a nut 5", see Fig. 4L. This jet-head is connected to an atomizing fluid supply, such as superheated steam from a boiler, not shown; but anv other suitable Huid may be used. The pipe 5e enters chamber 2f through an opening 21 in the side thereof. The jet aperture 5c in the head 5 is adjusted so that the jet or blast of atomizing Huid issuing therefrom will impinge upon the metal exuding upwardly through the aperture 4, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

I have found it quite important because of the differences in the size of the Crucible and tube and the amounts of metal therein, and especially when treating metals such asl zinc which are liable to chill very quickly, to place the Crucible in one compartment and the tube and atomizer in another Compartment and to heat them by independent means, so that the temperature of both can be regulated to a nicety and the metal can be kept in the proper molten condition in the Crucible without overheating, and can also be kept in the necessary fluid Condition in the tube t without endangering the latter by overheating.

The zinc or other metal to be atomized is placed in the Crucible l, which is heated by the blast from burner 3; and the tube 4 and atomi'zing head are heated by the blast from burner 3". In this way the metal in the Cruciblel can be quickly reduced, and the tube and atomizer head kept at the proper temperature to prevent chilling of the metal which descends to the atomizer from the Crucible.

Operation: The molten metal from the Crucible descends through the tube 4 and exudes upwardly through the aperture 4 onto the top of the atomizer head lib; and the exuding molten metal is flattened out upon the surface of the head in a thin sheet or film and then immediately thrown olf the head and dissipated in atomized condition by the jet of heated fluid forcibly is` suing from the aperture 5C in the head 5. The metal is thus instantaneously reduced to a fine, almost impalpable, powder. Suitable means should be provided for catching and Collecting such atomized metal The atomizing agent issuing from the jet 5 should have a temperature equal to, and preferably higher than, the melting point of the metal being treated; and when the apparatus is thus operated the metal is atomized and solidifies before oxidation can occur. In this way the metals can be atomized or finely subdivided without the necessity of surrounding the atomizer with deoxygenated gases.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for atomizing metals, a Crucible; means for heating the Crucible; a conduit depending from the Crucible, and having at its lower end an upwardly directed fluid outlet; means for heating the conduit; and means for directing a jet of atomizing fluid lagainst the metal exuding upwardly from said outlet.

2. In atomizing apparatus, the Combination of a furnace; a Crucible; and means for heating the Crucible; a Conduit depending from the Crucible having an upturned lower end and an upwardly directed fluid outlet; means for heating the conduit; and means for directing a jet of atomizing liuid against the metal issuing from the tube.

3. In an atomizer, the combination of a furnace having upper and lower compartments; a Crucible in the upper compartment, and means for heating the Crucible; a Conduit or tube extending from the crucible into the lower compartment, and having an upwardly directed fluid outlet at its lower end; means for heating the conduit; and means for directing a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal exuding upwardly from the outlet.

4t. In an atomizer, the Combination of a furnace having upper and lower Compartments; a Crucible in the upper compartment; and means for heating the Crucible; a conduit or tube extending from the Crucible into the lower Compartment, and having an upturned lower end to upwardly direct fluid to the outlet at the lower end of said Conduit; means for independently heating the conduit; and means for directing a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal issuing from the tube.

In an apparatus for atomizing metals, the combination of a furnace having upper and lower compartments, a Crucible in the upper compartment; a conduit or tube extending from the Crucible into the lower compartment, and having an upwardly directed fluid outlet at its lower end; means for directing a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal exuding upwardly from the outlet, and means for independently heating the said compartments.

6. In atomizing apparatus, the combination of a furnace having upper and lower compartments; a Crucible in the upper compartment; a conduit extending from the Crucible into the lower compartment and having an upturned lower end and an upwardly directed fluid outlet in the end of said conduit; means for directing a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal issuing from the outlet; and means for independently heating the Crucible and the Conduit.

7. In apparatus for atomizing metals, the combination of a furnace having upper and lower compartments, a Crucible in the upper compartment; a conduit or tube extending from the Crucible into the lower compartment, and having an upwardly directed fluid outlet at its lower end; and means for directing a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal exuding upwardly from the outlet; with means for heating the Crucible in the upper compartment, and independent means for heating the conduit and atomizer head in the lower compartment.

8. In atomizing apparatus, the combination of a furnace having upper and lower compartments; a Crucible in the upper compartment; a conduit extending from the Crucible into the lower compartment and having an upturned lower end and an upwardly directed fluid outlet in the end of said conduit, and means for directing a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal issuing from the tube; with means for heating the crucible in the upper compartment and independent means for heating the conduit and atomizer head in the lower compartment.

9. Apparatus for atomizing metals, comprising a furnace; a Crucible; a J-shaped tube connected with the bottom of said cru Cible; an aperture for the escape of metal at the lower end of said tube; and means adjacent this aperture to direct a jet or atomizing fluid against the metal exuding through said aperture.

l0. Apparatus for atomizing metals, comprising a furnace; a Crucible; a J-shaped tube connecting with the bottom of said cru- Cible; an atomizer head on the lower end of said tube provided with an upwardly directed aperture for the escape of metal; and means adjacent the head to direct a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal exuding through said aperture.

11. Apparatus for atomizing metals, comprising a furnace having upper and lower compartments, a Crucible in the upper compartment, a J-shaped tube Connecting with the bottom of said Crucible extending into the lower compartment, and having an aperture for the escape of metal at its lower end; a jet-head adjacent this aperture adapted to direct a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal exuding through said aperture; and means for conducting highly heated atomizing fluid to said jet head.

12. Apparatus for atomizing metals, comprising a furnace; a Crucible; a J-shaped tube connecting with the bottom of said crucible having an upwardly directed aperture for the escape of metal at its lower end; and means adjacent this aperture to direct a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal exuding through said aperture; with means for heating the Crucible in the upper compartment, and independent means for heating the atomizing devices in the lower Compartment of the furnace.

13. Apparatus for atomizing metals, comprising a furnace having upper and lower compartments, a crucible in the upper com partment; a tube connected with the bottom of said Crucible and extending into the lower compartment, having an upwardly directed aperture for the escape of metal at its lower end; a jet-head adjacent this aperture to direct a jet of atomizing fluid against the metal exuding through said aperture, and means for conducting highly heated atomizing fluid to said jet head; with means for heating the Crucible in the upper compartment, and independent means for heating the tube and atomizing devices in the lower compartment of the furnace.

14:. Apparatus for atomizing metals; comprising a furnace having upper and lower compartments; a Crucible in the upper compartment, and means for heating said compartment; a tube connected to the bottom of the Crucible and extending into the lower compartment, and having its lower end upturned; a plug connected to the end of said tube having an upwardly directed opening for the escape of the heated metal; a jethead adjacent the said aperture to direct an atomizing jet against the metal exuding through said aperture, and means for conducting highly lheated atomizing fluid to said head.

15. Apparatus for atomizing metals; comprising a furnace having upper and lower compartments; a Crucible in the upper compart-ment; a tube connected to the bottom of the Crucible and extending into the lower compartment, and having its lower end upturned; a head connected to the end of said tube having an outlet for the escape of the heated metal; a jet-head adjacent the said outlet adapted to direct an atomizing jet against the metal exuding therethrough, and lneans for Conducting highly heated atomizing fluid to said head; with means for heating the Crucible in the upper compartment, and independent means for heating the tube and atomizing devices in the lower compartment.

16. Apparatus for atomizing metals; comprising a furnace having upper and lower compartments, a Crucible in the upper compartment, a J-shaped tube connected to the bottom of the Crucible and extending into the lower Compartment, and having its lower end upturned; a plug connected to the end of said tube having an upwardly directed aperture for the escape of the heated metal; and a jet-head adjustably mounted upon said tube and adapted to direct an atomizing jet against the metal exuding through said aperture; with means for conducting highly heated atomizing fluid to said head; means for heating the Crucible in the upper com partment, and independent means for heating the tube and atomizing devices in the lower compartment.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES MILLAR NEIL.

Vitnesses JAMES R. MANSFIELD, L. E. VITHAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

